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Location: Elgin, Illinois | Just a few days ago we learned of the death of the first two US civilian casualties in Iraq. One of those casualties was Bob Zangas, a civilian working with the newly created "free press" (print and broadcast) in Iraq. It was not Bob's first trip to Iraq. He had served as an active duty Marine just months ago. He left an unusual public legacy, his website, with periodic "updates" of what he and others were doing in Iraq. I urge all of you to take the time to scan through his website and get a small, but very personal, glimpse of what we are really doing there.
I read through it today; it having been brought to my attention by my friend, a great Marine in his own rite, now serving as a coach and instructor to the Marine Corps Rifle Team...SSgt Carlos Hathcock III. Yes, he is the son of the well known Vietnam Veteran GSgt Carlos Hathcock II (of written fame, Marine Sniper). Carlos wanted everyone possible to read and appreciate the contribution and sacrifice of Bob Zangas. SSgt "C3" knows Marines. Thus, my posting here at his suggestion.
There is a tremendous sadness created by my reading through his journal... But, there is also a deep and abiding pride that here was one of ours... You know what I mean... A real warrior to the core... yet he was writing with such obvious affection for the people of Iraq... We train ours so much differently... We emphasize and nourish the humanity of our Marines even while we make them warriors.
When I read his journal, I was particulary affected by his comments about the Iraqi Police/Security forces... How tragic that he died at the hands of a few bad ones. I believe he would want us to view it that way... not all bad... Just as he said, about the Marines in Iraq, they viewed themselves as... "No worse enemy; no better friend" They, the Iraqis, lost as much as we did by his death... But, I hope that something good will come from it. I hope that everyone who has a chance, takes the time to get to know the person of Bob Zangas a little through this journal. And, then I pray, that everyone will see the good that we are doing and not fall for the "crap" that we are wrong for being there! And come to realize that we are not wrong in trying to bring a better world to the doorstep of all of the Iraqi people.
May God bless the soul and memory of Bob Zangas. "Semper Fidelis" never had a better living tribute to its meaning than the life and death of this Marine. To his family and friends... You have my sympathy and gratitude for your loss. To you my Walleyefirst friends I commend this as a great story of a great Marine and a great American. He was serving us, as he wanted to...
Here is Bob Zangas' website. Please read it, especially the last entry, written just a few days before his death. Every one of us owes a great debt to Bob Zangas and all of the servicemen and women and civilians working there for us...
http://zangasiniraq.militarypages.com
Edited by hgmeyer 3/15/2004 9:38 PM
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